Car-coupling



(No Model) GAR COUPLING.

3 w W N a L 1 p x A W w 4. m mW \W W a P.

1.7V VENTOR WITNESSES N PETERS. Pholv-Ulbflgnplwr. Washington. D.C.

NITED' STATES.

PATENT rrrcn.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 275,839, dated April 1'7, 1883.

Application filed February 10, 1883. (No model.)

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GRANVILLE E. MEDLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hopkinsville, in the county of Christian and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Oar-0oupling, of which the followingis a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to that class of carcouplings in which the coupling-pin is set in position and falls to effect an automatic coupling when the cars come together.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the end of a car equipped with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the under side of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view thereof. Fig. 4 is a horizontal detail sectional view of the drawhead. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional detail view of the same.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the draw-head of myiinproved automatic coupling, which can be arranged on the end of the car B in any suitable manner, but is herein shown arranged between two longitudinally-disposed beams, O C, under the car, that are connected at their front ends by a cross-piece, D, on which the draw-head rests. The stem E of the draw-head, which works between the beams G O, is provided with a longitudinally-disposed slot, F, through which passes a vertical pin or bolt, Gr, by means of which the drawhead is secured to the car. Longitudinal movement of the draw-head is limited by this pin, and a spring, H, or cushion, is interposed between the pin and end of the slot to break the shock occasioned by the'draw-heads coming together. The draw-head is provided with the usual mouth, I, and with the vertical pin-perforation J. The top K and bottom L of the mouth are beveled rearwardly, as at M N, respectively, to the pin-perforation J, and are beveled forwardly from the back of the linkrecess 0 to the perforation J, as shown at P Q, respectively. The pin-perforation J extends through a projection,R,on top the drawhead, and this projecting portion R forms a top shoulder, S, that is adapted to engage the end of the car when the draw-head is driven back. The portion of the perforation J that passes through the projecting portion R is provided with an interior inclined groove, T, having a shoulder, U, at its bottom.

In operation the end of the coupling-pin V is to be placed on this shoulder and rest against the top edge of its perforation J, as shown, when, by the concussion of the draw-heads in coupling the ears, the pin automatically falls and secures the link to effect the coupling. The pin Vis to be operated byachain or other means, and is provided with a shoulder, V, at its top, which rests on top the extension or projection R, when the coupling is in operation, to limit downward movement of the pin.

X designates a bail or loop for holding the link in the desired position in the draw-head. To accommodate this bail, the bottom of the mouth of the draw-head is provided near the front edge with transverse grooves YY, from the outer ends of which extend perforations Z down through the draw-head. The supporting-bail X consists of a main portion, A that is approximately U-shaped and has its side sections, B 13", passed up through the perforations Z and bent over, so as to be received into the grooves Y Y, as shown at G The said bail X is formed of elastic wire rod preferably, and can be pushed up in the draw-head, so that its ends (L G will support the link D and retain it in the desired position. When thus adjusted the bail will be retained in its elevated position by reason of the elastic tension of the sections 13 B against the sides of the mouth of the draw-head and the sides of the slots Z Z. When desired, the bail can be drawn down, so that the ends 0 will be protected in the grooves Y Y.

E is a lever-rod for lifting the end of the link when it projects from the draw-head. it comprises a central elevating portion, F having at its center a projection or kink, G which is received by the loop end of the link, and retains the latter from lateral displacement while it is being elevated through the agency of this lever E and straight fulcrum sections Gr G having their ends H H turned down to form operating-handles, as shown. The sections G G are fulcrumed on staples 1 1 arranged under the car, and are capable of turning on the latter, and also sliding laterally, this last movement being limited by the handles H and the sides of the central section, F When IOC out of operation, the lever E is to be drawn to the side, so that its end or handle 11 can be engaged in and supported by a hook, J depending from the under side of the car.

The operation and advantages of my invention are obvious. It is very simple in construction, and in use is easily operated and efficient.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, with a draw-head having perforations at its sides in the bottom of its mouth and near its front edge, of a spring bail or loop having its ends passing through the said perforations, and adapted to be held in the vertical position to which it is adjusted by reason of the tension of the ends against the sides of the perforations and of the drawhead, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the draw-head having the transverse grooves Y Y in its bottom, near the front edge, and provided with slots or perforations extending down from the outer ends of the said grooves, of a link-supportin g ba-il or loop, consisting of a main portion having elastic side sections that passup through the said slots and carry the ends 0, that are arranged to be received in the transverse grooves, as set forth.

3. The combination, with the end of the car having the fulcrum-staples I and the depending hook J of the lifting lever rod fulcrumed on the said staples, and comprising a main central section having a projection or kink to be received up between the sides of the link, and side sections G having their ends turned down to form handles H the said lifting-lever being capable of a vertical and also a lateral movement on its fulcrum, to enable it to engage the hook J when out of operation, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my'own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GRANVILLE E. MEDLEY.

Vitnesses:

PHIL GAITHER, PALMER GRAVES. 

